Robinson, Montour Still at Odds in Building Permit Dispute

The has filed a petition in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas against Robinson Township stemming from a dispute over building permits for the district's recently completed high school, said commissioner Earl Mapel. 

Mapel briefly addressed the court filing during the commission's meeting Monday night. 

Mapel said the district is disputing fees charged in the building permit process, arguing that the fees exceed the cost of services from the township. 

Township Manager Aaron Bibro earlier this year that the district requested a $300,000 refund for an earlier building permit issued by the township. The district has not yet obtained a final occupancy permit for the high school, which opened to students in 2011. 

The school district could not be reached for comment. Township officials said a secondary access road to the Clever Road building does not meet grading requirements. 

Mapel said the district argues that the fees "constituted improper tax under Pennsylvania law." He said attorneys for the township will file a response to the petition later this month. 

The commission in a 5-to-0 vote approved preliminary plans for a new facility located on Bayer Road that will house the Oakdale gas detection firm Industrial Scientific Corp. 

The building, which will border Interstate 376 West and the Settlers Cabin Park, will serve as the company's headquarters. When completed, four other office locations for the company, including one on Steubenville Pike, will be consolidated into the Bayer Road building. 

The board approved a series of waivers for the project, including waivers for landscaping buffers and tree requirements.